The heart of ancient Mayan civilizations, Guatemala is now the most populated country in Central America with over 18 million people. Of those, 56% live in poverty—including roughly 80% of indigenous populations. The country has the highest rate of child malnutrition in Latin America, and in rural areas only one in four people are literate. Violence against women and child marriage are significant issues, with 29% of girls married by age 18.

Honduras has a rich cultural heritage, but has become one of the most unstable countries in Latin America. Despite being one of the world's main exporters of coffee, food security is a tremendous challenge with more than 20% of the population undernourished. One in four children under the age of five struggles with chronic malnutrition. And with 63% of the population living in poverty, greater than one-third of girls are married by age 18.

Although Sierra Leone is home to large deposits of diamonds, gold, and other valuable minerals (the country has experienced great wealth—and great violence—as a result), 43% of the population lives in extreme poverty and 82% of people are food insecure. Women and girls especially suffer high rates of poverty, violence, and low literacy, with more than half of uneducated girls married before age 18, compared to just 10% of girls with higher education.